SBOL_03_30_2023

Andrew Square: Now Under Development

by Rick Winterson

Monday evening, the Andrew Square Civic Association (ASCA) held its normal month-ofMarch open meeting. In addition to the usual neighborhood topics of law enforcement and community engagement, this meeting featured updates on two very large development projects: the Mary Ellen McCormack rehabilitation (presented by Andrew Colbert and his team, from Winn Co.) and the Dorchester Bay City plan (DBC, presented by Kevin Galvin and his team, from Accordia Partners). The McCormack rehab will of course become an integral part of the Andrew Square neighborhood; DBC is a massive, multi-billiondollar development that will have a major influence on the Square –DBC will be sited nearby, on mostly

Moakley Park Cleanup

vacant land immediately south of Moakley Park/Saunders Stadium/ Carson Beach/Kosciusko Circle.

The McCormack rehab is a so-called “mixed income” inclusive development, which will expand its number of apartment units from around 1,000 to a total of more than 3,000 in two phases. The Winn Co. presenters emphasized that the number of subsidized units will remain the same at 1,010. The large increase in “mixed income” units will mean that McCormack has to become a very dense apartment complex four to six stories high, instead of remaining as it is now. Phase One of this rehab will focus on the area along Old Colony Boulevard; Phase Two will begin in roughly five years.

As for the DBC project to the south, this is still under architectural design. Recent changes in design have

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By Ginger DeShaney

About 45 people braved the cold and wind Saturday morning to clean up Moakley Park as Boston Harbor Now and the Boston Parks & Recreation Department kicked off the 2023 cleanup season.

“It’s community building,” said Lulu O’Leary, one of about 20 members of the Boston University women’s water polo team to participate. “It’s creating a better environment for everybody.”

Cliff Meggison traveled in from Sudbury after seeing the event posted on Boston Cares.

“We think it’s important that we take care of the natural resources we have, because if we don’t, they’re not going to be here very long,” he said. “I think it’s one of those things that, you know, everybody thinks somebody else is going to do it and nobody does.”

These Boston Harbor Now and Parks & Rec Department cleanups allow volunteers to give

Continued on Page 3

Continued from Page 1

Andrew Square

added to the green space next to and along the Carson Beach shoreline, down to the Mother’s Rest cupola. Please keep an eye on this project as it develops further – it’ll affect South Boston.

You are aware that the Washington Village development is now underway. The basic structure of the first six-story building is mostly complete; much construction remains along the arc down Alger Street, between Old Colony and Dorchester Avenue. Another major development called “The DOT Block” is planned for the west side of Dorchester Avenue. You can see how far this will stretch in the future by taking a look at the vast paving now in this area. You can even stop in for coffee at the Cannonball Café. And many enterprises have been built into the original Cole-Hersee buildings along Old Colony – from apartments, to Tatte and Mei Mei, on down to the Shybird/Castle Island Brewery complex. Other construction is also underway in and around Andrew Square, from the southern leg of Ellery Street out to the

southwest corner of the Old Colony/ Dorchester Street, where a masonry utility column has been completed.

It should be noted that many parts of Andrew Square would be worth preserving, even though others need modernizing. Take a short walk along Dorchester Avenue so you can look up Woodward Street at its modern architecture and then up Middle Street, which has kept much of its original appearance. Both of these mini-neighborhoods seem to work, in our opinion. They look good. There has been a proposal submitted for a modern, four-story apartment on the empty lot between Dorchester Avenue and Boston Street (20 Boston, 17 Dot Ave.). This project’s height and modern design definitely seems out of place there, especially since that’s part of the historic Polish Triangle. The apex of the Polish Triangle at Dorchester Avenue and Boston Street thrusts into Andrew Square, as does the corner of Dorchester Street and Dorchester Avenue. Take careful looks at the projects for those corner lots. Are they less attractive than the new building in

Virtual Public Meeting

232 A Street

Project Proponent: Parcel 3 Ow ner, LLC

Project Description:

The project proposed a single-building comprised of 455,050 gsf lab/office/R&D development located at 232 A Street on G8 parcel of 100 Acres PDA plus waterfront park on adjacent G7 parcel along Ft. Point Channel.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Proposed project and the potential impacts before the Proponent files their Project Notification Form ("PNF")

Close of Comment Period: 4/29/2023

mail to: Michael Sinatra

Boston Planning & Development Agency One Ci ty Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201

phone: 617.918.4224

email: michael. a.sinatra@boston.gov

@BostonPlans BostonPlans.org

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

the angle formed by Dorchester and Preble Streets? Are they simply too tall? If so, let ASCA know that you don’t approve of these development plans.

All these projects – both small and very large – reflect favorably on Andrew Square’s being an important part of South Boston. With five (very) busy roadways, a Red Line station, and a number of bus routes, the Square is a real

transportation center as well. Perhaps the Square’s residents can take quiet pride in living in such a successful and attractive neighborhood, but with that comes an obligation to keep up to date on every new development plan. Yes, there’s no question that South Boston needs many more residences, but let’s be sure that Andrew Square remains attractive to its current residents.

Andrew Square: Worth preserving in part.

The first Washington Village building.

Continued from Page 1 Moakley

Park

back to the community and enjoy the beauty of this waterfront park. The organizations provide the tools –including gloves, pickers, and trash bags.

The cleanup help is greatly appreciated by the four Parks Department workers who maintain all the South Boston parks. They are charged with cutting the grass and fields, lining the fields, weed whacking, emptying the trash barrels, and more …and they do a great job.

“But a little bit of help doesn’t hurt,” said laborer Mark Skerry.

Jaye Meakem, Community Engagement Specialist for Boston Harbor Now, understands the park staff needs some assistance. “We get to save them dozens of hours by helping them with 60 acres: we have 45 people, times one and a half hours of work.”

When people see others caring about the park, they tend to take better care of it themselves, said Rebecca Smerling, Director of Programs at BHN. She noted that every time there’s a cleanup, they get lots of thank yous from the community.

“We want to make sure that people can feel at home and welcome in a space that is theirs,” Jaye added.

Wallace Scott found out about the event through Boston Harbor Now. Taking care of the environment is important, he said. “If I’m out enjoying the parks all the time, we have to make sure that they stay in good shape.”

Kyler Hoogendoorn-Ecker, Nathan Johnson, and KC Kirby were volunteering through Boston Latin School. When out in the parks, “it’s so much nicer to me when it’s a nice clean space,” said Kyle. “It always brings you down when you’re out in nature and you see trash. So I think it’s really great that we’re here doing this.”

Nathan and KC Kirby enjoy going to the parks to take advantage of

all they have to offer. “We really want to make the most out of it but we can’t do that if it’s littered,” Nathan said. Cathy Baker-Eclipse, who works with the Parks Department, was out with Willa Eclipse doing their part.

“It’s really important to get people out into the parks; if people are invested in making the park beautiful and successful, they’ll take pride in it.”

The next cleanup will be on Earth Day, April 22 (there will be a special celebration of flowers on May 13). From June through September, cleanups will be held every third Saturday. Visit the following link for upcoming Moakley Park cleanups

Micro Plants: An Artist with a Vision

By Carol Masshardt

The art of plants is displayed in the work of Julio Cesar Roman-Rios of Micro Plants on West Broadway, and the inspiration was formed through his experiences of both trauma and resilience. His path to the Museum of Fine Arts, followed by a Tufts University Master’s Degree in Public Policy , he has now been a business owner for the challenging past five years. His life and work is a testament to community, possibility and effort. Healthy plants and his uniquely designed pots create an environment of hopefulness and creativity, but the inspiration is decades old.

Originally from Puerto Rico, nature caught his imagination and spirit early and in what were often trying circumstances. The impact of domestic violence inflicted on his mother and the fear he, his mother and siblings experienced after a fire was set to his home in early elementary school became an undeniable trauma in his life.

“When you go through trauma,” he said “you have to find ways to re-direct yourself and to heal.” Given the frightening circumstances in Puerto Rico, the family relocated to Connecticut when Julio was in third grade. There is every reason that this young child could have closed down and turned sadness and fear into something quite different, but Julio had the ability to see beauty in people and plants, and others saw it in him. And his mother’s expressiveness and coping was noticed by her son as she sewed and cooked.

“In Hartford, I had teachers who noticed that I had a special gift in art. I saw kids drawing cars and I wanted to do that! My teacher was Mr. Hector Reyes, and he grounded me and taught me about belonging and identity,” he said. “And then, Mr. Rafael Perez-Saldano, an art teacher, showed us a painting of a garlic plant, and taught us about incorporating art into everything else we were learning. He took my drawing to a competition and it

won,” he said. “Public education has had a huge impact on my life and without an amazing middle school art program I may not have reached this awesome age of 44!”

The awards would go on, and the number of teachers who made a difference could fill pages with his appreciation, each remembered distinctly by an accomplished man who could have been a lost as a boy.

A special teacher, Margaret Hayes, nurtured his education and portfolio development, and led Julio to understands better than most the importance of mentorship.

“She and her husband brought me to interviews, and that’s how I ended up in Boston,” he said. He graduated from the Museum of Fine Arts School, and then went to work earning a graduate degree in public policy, and years of successful non-profit leadership, including with the Boston Public Schools became part of a tapestry of how meaningful community, art, people and nature were to his view of life.

What may have seemed to be discordant paths are strong threads of a life woven by artistry, commitment, respect for nature and the complex world of all growing things.

“Everything I do I have to do well. I started this business on savings, and it encompasses a lot about my holistic view. Plants have to stay healthy, like people, and

be cared for. I feel a need to bring nature to urban areas,” he said. Of course, it looks easy, and it is not, as he explains to customers the etiology of plants and the care they require to flourish. It is a specialty not shared in big box stores and even suburban garden centers. It honors the plants, the containers and the vibrant lives of his customers who get more than a plant or flowers. He shares his expertise wisely and gently.

Arranging beautiful lavender and white flowers in this just barely spring season, Julio was inspired yet again. “When people but flowers, it is their stories and my stories and the flowers. I particularly like “make up” flowers. Forgiveness is pretty cool, don’t you think?” he asked.

Ruben, a customer working in finance and living in South Boston for eight months stopped in for an exquisite bouget for his girlfriend, and left the artistry to the artist. “I like the ambiance in here. It is calming and Julio is friendly and meets your needs,” he said.

Overcoming adversity is not unfamiliar to this small business owner, but his focus seems more on adding beauty to West Broadway with his age-old talent and contemporary designs. It may just make your day to see what he has done to create a special space on a busy urban street.

Julio Cesar Roman-Rios

COVET – A South Boston Success Story

for more consignment stores. Because of the particular nature of consignment shopping, simply expanding her South Boston location would not satisfy the desire for consignment shopping she foresaw elsewhere. So in 2019, she opened another COVET location at 109 Charles Street. This is the street that goes along the western boundary of Beacon Hill – a distinct neighborhood with its own needs, tastes, and nearby residents.

by Rick Winterson

COVET, the consignment store located at 391 West Broadway, is a true success story, both in terms of its successful business – COVET now has three busy locations – and in terms of its quality – COVET earned a welldeserved “Best of Boston” ranking in 2022. The Owner/Founder of COVET, Hanadi Hamzeh, began her consignment store enterprise just over eight years ago here in South Boston, at the original West Broadway site. Hanadi also lives in South Boston; she resides in the Thomas Park neighborhood.

About five years ago, it had become obvious to Hanadi that there was an urgent desire among potential customers

In January of this year, after weathering business factors that included a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, Hanadi opened her third COVET consignment store at 176 Newbury Street. This branch of COVET, situated between Dartmouth and Exeter, is spacious and has quickly become incredibly busy (the interview for this article was conducted at Newbury Street). Also, Newbury Street is not just another location – it is a distinct Back Bay neighborhood with needs, tastes, and residents of its own. And it appears that COVET’s newest branch fits in very nicely.

Hanadi is a quick learner and apparently possesses great powers of observation. She first worked in consignment shopping to earn some extra money. She soon found out she had an instinct for this sort of business – it’s always active and on-the-go. Furthermore, she quickly noticed that consignment stores have to become visible parts of their neighborhoods, and that these neighborhoods must have a residential component. The atmospheres around shopping centers

and non-residential developments simply won’t do. In addition, consignment is really two businesses – incoming items, and then those same items for sale.

Hanadi Hamzeh was born in Texas. At age five, she moved here from Texas with her parents, who are engineers, and she was brought up in Weymouth. She’s quite versatile – her degree from Northeastern is in Medical Lab Science. She once thought of going on to Medical School, but instead she fell in love with consignment shopping. When time allows, she likes to travel and really enjoys cooking. And she has a pet dog named Olive. Like most rapidly growing

enterprises in Boston, COVET could use additional employees, both parttime and full-time, especially now that their Newbury Street store has opened. We’ll quote Hanadi when she says, “Working here has a lot of variety.” Her technical education shows when she describes the work at COVET as having “so many moving parts.” We’ll close by quoting Hanadi once again – she says, “Jobs here at COVET are a lot of fun!” Feel free to drop in at any of COVET’s three locations (all are readily accessible via public transport) or go to the covetboston.com website to find out more. Please note that COVET is a real success story.

Hanadi Hamzeh, COVET’s owner/founder, in her new Newbury Street branch.

The COVET façade at 176 Newbury Street, between Dartmouth and Exeter.

COVET branches out to Beacon Hill’s Charles Street at #109.

The multi-level interior of COVET’s Beacon Hill/Charles Street branch.

by Rick Winterson

South Boston Online has frequently written about the increasing number of arts you can find here in South Boston. This includes the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Distillery, Grub Street, the many Fort Point studios, and numerous other artistic endeavors. As you know, the Boston Lyric Opera (the BLO) offices and rehearsal space is now located at 15 Channel Center. Two months ago, we wrote about this addition to the South Boston arts scene.

Last week from March 22 to 26, the BLO performed a run of Bela Bartok’s opera, “Bluebeard’s Castle”, which was skillfully coupled with “Four Songs” by Alma Mahler. Perhaps most newsworthy about this fine musical event was that the performance run was performed here in South Boston – inside the Black Falcon Terminal at the Flynn Cruiseport.

A large empty space on the second floor of the Cruiseport was magically converted into Bluebeard’s castle by the BLO’s design and production crews. A thrust stage was constructed that allowed clear audience viewing from all seats. Dramatic stage lighting was a key part of the stage set’s effects. A full operatic orchestra was located upstage; an audience of approximately 400

Opera Comes to South Boston

was seated around the thrust stage. As a warm welcoming touch, audience members relaxed for a while in a glittering entrance lounge in Flynn Cruiseport before “Bluebeard’s Castle/Four Songs” began. Bluebeard, performed by Ryan McKinny, is the lord or king of an unspecified (but very rich and very dark) domain. His story is quite ancient. A summary of the “Grimm’s Brothers Tales”, published more than 500 years ago, contains one version of Bluebeard’s story; there are older references to him in “1001 Tales of Arabian Nights”. He had seven wives, who brought large dowries to his kingdom. Judith, performed by Naomi Louisa O’Connell, was his seventh wife. She was insatiably curious about what happened to the first six Wives. Composer Bela Bartok chose the name “Judith” because that was the name of the woman in the Old Testament writings about Holofernes in the Promised Land.

Of course, opera is music. Ryan McKinny’s bass/baritone as Bela Bartok’s Bluebeard the King was nothing short of magnificent. Naomi Louisa O’Connell’s mezzo-soprano softly reflected Judith’s emotions, as her questions were more and more forcefully pushed aside by Bluebeard. The “Four

Songs”, composed by Alma Mahler and sung by O’Connell, bracketed “Bluebeard’s Castle”, ultimately asking for peace, a bursting forth, and light, light, light. David Angus, Conductor of the 30-piece Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra, expertly guided his musicians through Bartok’s expressionist, partly dissonant phrasing and sequences. The solo pianist, Yukiko Oba, entertained in the Cruiseport’s reception area and accompanied “Four Songs”. And Bluebeard’s “other six”, non-singing wives (in the BLO version) were played by Victoria L. Awkward, Aliza Franz, Marissa Molinar, Olivia Moon, Sasha Peterson and Cassie Wang. Credit is due to Anne Bogart, “Bluebeard’s Castle/Four Songs” Stage Director. Her four

decades of experience range from “South Pacific”, through operas such as Verdi’s “MacBeth”, and to a professorship at Columbia and the authoring of five books. The challenge of converting the Flynn Terminal into an operatic thrust stage was well handled by her “groundbreaking artistry” – to quote from the program’s write-up by R. Scott Reedy. Set Designer Sara Brown and Movement Director Victoria Awkward also deserve mention. We believe all factors in the production were executed uniquely and flawlessly. For your information, the Boston Lyric Opera’s next production will be “Omar” by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels in May, at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre (log onto BLO.org).

Mayor Wu and Councilor Flynn attend Women Veterans Roundtable

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Women veterans are the fastest growing population at the Department of Veterans Affairs today. Women comprise nearly 20% of active military personnel and 10% of the veteran population. Since serving on the Boston City Council, Councilor President Flynn has partnered with his colleagues to advocate for women veterans. He has held hearings to discuss the need for better gender-specific care and

n Tuesday evening, Mayor Wu and Council President Flynn attended the 2023 Women Veterans Roundtable organized by the City of Boston’s Office of Veterans Services. Held annually, this event invites a number of women veteran panelists to speak on different topics. This year, the topics included education, professional development, wellness and health.mental health support for women veterans. In 2020, he met with Senator Markey and Senator Warren to support the passage of the Deborah Sampson Act, which expanded various programs related to health care and benefits for women veterans at Veterans Affairs (VA). Recently, Councilor Flynn and Veterans Commissioner Rob Santiago attended the 2023 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) MidWinter Conference in Arlington and met with congressional members to discuss issues such as ensuring equity in veterans care, including services and benefits for women, LGBTQ+ and minority veterans, as well as bolstering mental health resources and expanding the VA’s capacity to deliver timely and high quality care to veterans.

“Thank you to all of the incredible women veterans for

their service and for sharing their experiences to advocate for the larger community. I am grateful to the Office of Veteran Services, Commissioner Santiago, Council President Flynn and the Massachusetts Women Veterans’ Network for their partnership and relentless work to provide these leaders with the resources they deserve.” said Mayor Wu.

“I would like to thank the Administration, Veterans Commissioner Rob Santiago and the Office of Veteran Services for organizing today’s Woman Veterans Roundtable and to the panelists for sharing their insights with us. This is an event I look forward to every year to listen and learn about the experiences of our women veterans and what kind of support they need and deserve.” said Councilor Flynn. “I will continue to be an advocate for our women veterans, who

FUTURE YOU IS SO PROUD

not only served our country with honor and bravery, but who are also resilient, tenacious and offer valuable insights and perspectives to what it means to be a veteran. They earned their benefits and I wish to recognize and celebrate their service and sacrifices for our country.”

For more information, please contact Council President Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

JUMBO

4.18%APY*

REGULAR MINIMUM $500 DEPOSIT MINIMUM $50,000 DEPOSIT

Senator Collins, Representative Biele Help Pass $388.6 Milliom Supplement Budget

State Senator Nick Collins and State Representative David Biele joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature in passing a $388.6 million supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). The legislation funds vital services that support vulnerable populations and address food insecurity, housing instability, economic development, and more.

The bill further authorizes $740.3 million in bonding to bolster the Commonwealth’s clean water and other public works projects for cities and towns, as well as to support the Commonwealth’s ability to compete for competitive federal grant funds.

“This legislation provides critical funding to support our childcare system, emergency shelter and food assistance programs, and economic development initiatives.” said Senator Collins. “The supplemental budget reflects our Commonwealth’s values, and I am proud to support it.”

“This supplemental budget provides for our children and our most vulnerable residents, while authorizing crucial investments

in capital expenditures for economic development and local manufacturing.” said Rep. Biele.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues for these key investments in our communities, while ensuring that Massachusetts remains competitive for federal grants.”

The bill invests $388.6 million to address several time sensitive needs for an array of programs relied on by some of the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth, including $130 million for SNAP food assistance benefits to provide a path for families who were receiving enhanced SNAP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, $68 million for the Early Education C3 stabilization grant program, $65 million for the continuation of free school meals, and $45 million for emergency shelter assistance.

The bill also authorizes $740.3 million in capital expenditures to support economic development projects. Notably, these include $400 million for the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to cities, towns, and other public entities for infrastructure projects, and $125 million for state matching funds

to compete for federal grant opportunities, including those funded through the CHIPS and Science Act, which encourage innovation in Massachusetts.

Other bonding items authorized by the bill include:

$104 million for the Clean Water Trust Fund

$34 million for a program to revitalize underutilized properties

$30 million for state matching funds to compete for federal broadband expansion grants and improve state broadband infrastructure

$15 million for the

Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative, which supports innovation within the state’s manufacturing industry, including by offering technical assistance to manufacturers and attracting talent from outside of the state $14 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program

$9.3 million for broadband middle mile supports $8 million for the Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund.

Having been passed by the Senate and the House, the supplemental budget now goes to the Governor for her signature.

All Girls Sports and Wellness Festival

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) invite Boston girls ages 9 to 14 to join us during the April school vacation week for the annual All Girls Sports and Wellness Festival. Due to its popularity last year, the City is hosting the festival for two days.

The free event will take place on Wednesday, April 19, and Thursday, April 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the BCYF Leahy-Holloran Community Center, 1 Worrell Street, Dorchester. The All Girls Sports and Wellness Festival will

feature a variety of programming including sports, games, health and wellness speakers, self-defense tactic lessons, and aquatic activities.

Participants will find a variety of fun ways to exercise mind, body, and spirit, and try out a variety of sports with expert instructors including basketball, self-defense demonstrations, fitness, rock climbing, swimming, ultimate frisbee, and more, with additional support from local non-profits and City of Boston agencies.

Pre-registration is required at boston.gov/sports. Event check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Participants must be Boston residents and should bring activity-appropriate clothing

(including swimsuits and towels for those wanting to participate in aquatic activities). Free lunch will be provided. For more information please call (617) 961-3047 or email jennifer.misiaszek@boston.gov.

To stay up to date with

news, events, and improvements in Boston parks, call (617) 6354505, visit Boston.gov/Parks, join our email list at bit.ly/Get-ParksEmails, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Gate of Heaven & St. Brigid Parishes

LENT 2023

Wednesdays During Lent 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Prayer, Reflection, Adoration & Confession

6:30 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

6:40 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Spiritual Talk

7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Confessions & Adoration

Wednesday, April 5th – Gate of Heaven Church

Presenter: Rev. Michael Steele

This Evening (April 5th) will include our Holy Week Reconciliation Service and there will be 4 Priests for Individual Confessions

Fridays During Lent Stations of the Cross

Every Friday during Lent 3:00PM at Gate of Heaven Church

Daily Mass

Gate of Heaven Church: Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. St. Brigid Church: Monday through Friday at 7 a.m.

Gate of Heaven & St. Brigid Parishes with St. Augustine Chapel

Holy Week Schedule April 5 - 7

Wednesday of Holy Week

6:30 - 7:30PM

Reconciliation Service - Spiritual Talk by Fr. Michael Steele

Gate of Heaven Church

Holy Thursday Mass

7:00 p.m. at St. Brigid Church

Good Friday Service

Veneration of the Cross with Holy Communion

3:00 p.m. - Gate of Heaven Church

4:30 p.m. - St. Augustine Chapel

7:00 p.m. - St. Brigid Church

Gate of Heaven & St. Brigid Parishes with St. Augustine Chapel

Easter Mass Schedule

Saturday, Easter Vigil - April 8 - 7:30 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Church

Easter Sunday Mass - April 9 6:13 a.m. Sunrise Mass on Castle Island

Saint Brigid Church - 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Gate of Heaven Church 9: a.m. and 12 Noon

Hola y Bienvenidos!

The 5th and 6th grade students presented their chosen Spanish-

SBCA Cultural Fair

speaking country at the SBCA Cultural Fair! Each student completed a trifold board on one of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries. Some students chose to make food from their country including empanadas, gallo pinto and plantains! K1-4th grades came to the Cultural Fair to learn about the countries and get their homemade passports stamped.

Here are some of the favorite things the students liked learning about regarding their Spanish

speaking country…Sampling the different foods, the different customs, cultures and traditions and colorful and historical sceneries, the famous people, such as athletes, singers and actors that came from the different countries and the famous mountains and waterfalls.

The students in the 5th & 6th grade did an amazing job with this Spanish class project. A BIG Thank you to our Spanish Teacher, Ms.

Taylor Avery for her wonderful guidance and help. You can see from all their work, time and energy that the students and their families put into this class project that they truly loved learning about these Spanish-speaking countries. All the students at SBCA loved touring, viewing and learning about these Spanish-speaking countries, too and, of course, were so excited to get their very own passports stamped from these different countries.

City to Observe One Boston Day with acts of Kindness & Community Service

Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced two One Boston Day remembrance events on Boylston Street planned for April 15, 2023 to honor the victims, survivors, and first responders of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Additionally, more than a dozen One Boston Day volunteer events will be hosted by City departments and neighborhood organizations in recognition of our City’s spirit of care for one another in response to the tragic events of April 15, 2013. Residents are encouraged to participate in one of these acts of service or take part in their own act of kindness. One Boston Day volunteer events are being held Citywide and a full list is on boston.gov/one-boston.

“Every year we come together on One Boston Day to remember the courage, strength, and resilience shown by our City’s people in 2013,”

said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we mark ten years, we will gather together in community on April 15 to remember the lives that were lost, the many injured, and the spirit of humanity displayed that day. As we honor those forever impacted, people in all corners of our City will be giving back in a number of ways and I encourage everyone to get involved.”

The City of Boston and the B.A.A. will honor the day with two remembrance events on Boylston Street on Saturday, April 15, 2023. The first will be an early morning private gathering and wreath laying at the memorial sites for the families who lost loved ones at the 2013 Boston Marathon. Honor guards, including the Boston Fire Department, Boston Police Department, Boston Emergency Medical Services, and Suffolk County Sheriff Department’s Honor Guards, will be present

Virtual Public Meeting

617 Dorchester Ave f/k/a 20 Boston St

April 5, 2023

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Project Proponent:

Mark Little

Project Description:

The information at this meeting is crucial to you as a City of Boston resident, and stakeholder. Interpreting services are available to communicate the content of these documents at no additional cost to you. If you require translation services, please contact the following: Tyler.C.Ross@boston.gov. The meeting is scheduled for 4/5/2023. Please request interpreting services no later than 5 days before the meeting date. Meeting of the general public to review 617 Dorchester Ave f/k/a 20 Boston St. This meeting will be focused on the proposed 617 Dorchester Ave f/k/a 20 Boston St project. Please note that this is a Public Meeting. The meeting will begin with a 45-minute presentation of the project by the development team, followed by 45-minutes of public Q&A.

mail to: Tyler Ross

Boston Planning & Development Agency

One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201

phone: 617.918.4214

email: tyler.c.ross@boston.gov

website: www.bit.ly/617Dotave

at the memorial sites throughout the day. After the B.A.A. 5K race, the City will open Boylston Street between Dartmouth and Fairfield Streets for members of the public to visit the memorial sites.

At 2:30 p.m., the public is invited to join members of the One Fund Community, Governor Maura Healey and Mayor Wu, first responders, hospital leaders, B.A.A. leadership, and local running groups at the Boston Marathon Finish Line for a dedication of a new commemorative finish line, the ringing of bells, and the unveiling of a One Boston Day marker on Boylston Street.

“As One Boston Day approaches, we continue to honor the strength and resilience of our community,” said Jack Fleming, B.A.A. President and Chief Executive Officer. “This year, our theme for the Boston Marathon is oneBOSTON, symbolizing the unity and spirit witnessed after April 15, 2013. This year, we will gather on Boylston Street as one with the City of Boston and runners from around the world in reflection and remembrance.”

strong emotion for so many of us across the City and the people touched by the tragedy ten years ago. But the most prevailing one is that Boston is indeed strong, and that our communities show up for each other in times of need,” said Jacob Robinson, West Roxbury Main Streets Executive Director. “Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve seen the same mentality and resilience throughout Boston’s neighborhoods and Main Streets districts. It’s that spirit which is so important to admire and keep aflame. We’re honored to participate in the One Boston Day volunteer event with Mayor Wu, the City of Boston, Parkway Running Club, and the many other groups and individuals coming together on Saturday, April 15.”

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

Mayor Wu made a call to action last month for City departments and local organizations to register their One Boston Day acts of service events on boston.gov/ one-boston. Many organizations including hospitals, neighborhood civic groups, and City of Boston departments are hosting service events in honor of One Boston Day, and are open to the public to volunteer. Service events range from a shoe drive held by Cradles to Crayons, Parkway Running Club, and West Roxbury Main Streets; to a Dorchester neighborhood cleanup hosted by ColumbiaSavin Hill Civic Association & John Hancock Investment Management. A full list is available on boston.gov/one-boston and will be updated as more volunteer opportunities are submitted.

“This time of year evokes a

“That day on April 15, 2013 uprooted our community in many ways but Boston united in strength. Since that day, our communities have continued to come together and give back in their own way to bring people a sense of purpose as reinforced with the Martin Richard Foundation,” said Desmond Rohan, Board member of Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association. “The feeling of giving back in whatever way is a fulfilling feeling for anyone. It’s also a great way to know your community and its citizens. Boston needs a little love after the winter months and our event of a community cleanup will make our neighborhood shine a little more as we head toward spring.”

Groups interested in registering their events can continue to do so.here Mayor Wu is also encouraging Boston residents to take part in their own individual acts of kindness, including those on the 2023 One Boston Day Acts of Kindness Checklist. Examples from the checklist range from buying a cup of coffee for a stranger to donating blood. Like in years past, people are welcome to share their reflections and acts of service plans for One Boston Day on social media with the hashtag #OneBostonDay.

More on One Boston Day can be found at boston.gov/one-boston.

2 H Street

Project Proponent: H Street Associates, LLC

Project Description:

The proposal calls for a multi-family residential development with 127 residential units and a 5,900 square foot retail space with associated garage parking for 152 vehicles. This project was previously approved in 2012. The design hasn't changed but they were required to file a Notice of Project Change due to lapse of time.

Close of Comment Period: 4/24/2023

mail to: Michael Sinatra

Boston Planning & Development Agency

One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201

phone: 617.918.4224

email: michael.a.sinatra@boston.gov

@BostonPlans BostonPlans.org

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary